Bigtime Strategic Group founder Justice Maphosa and the International Organisation for Migration are assisting in returning stranded Zimbabweans in South Africa back home according to the Embassy of Zimbabwe in South Africa.
The Embassy revealed a partnership with Maphosa which has resulted in transport being availed for Zimbabwean nationals who could not afford to travel back home to be assisted in making the one-way trip.
“The generous assistance provided by Mr Maphosa will cover the cost of hiring buses for around 400 Zimbabwean nationals, the provision of food for the travelers on the trip, and a provision of food and personal protective equipment while in quarantine in Zimbabwe,” the Embassy says.
“The International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations Migration Agency, is providing technical support to the Embassy in planning and carrying out this humanitarian repatriation exercise. The technical support includes coordination of pre-departure arrangements, pre-embarkation medical check and distribution of COVID-19 related awareness material.”
With the South African government enforcing a national lockdown to curb the spread of COVID-19, Zimbabweans in South Africa faced challenges hence the need to travel back home.
The Embassy sought travel permits for Zimbabweans who were in need of self-repatriation, using own transport as well as buses, from South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation [DIRCO], and the diasporans have since travelled back home while others are still waiting for their travel permits.
“There are buses set to ferry Zimbabwean nationals back home, under the self-funded repatriation where the travelers pay for their own transportation,” the Embassy says.
“There are buses set to transport Zimbabweans back home, with the carrying capacity strictly limited to 70 percent in order to comply with South Africa’s current lockdown regulations for public transport.”
“A considerable number of the requests received by the Embassy are for assisted on humanitarian grounds from Zimbabwean nationals who, during this lockdown in South Africa, are no longer able to sustain their stay in the country due to loss of incomes.”
The Embassy also revealed distressed calls from Zimbabwean nationals who are in South Africa.
“The Embassy was inundated with requests varying from appeals for help with food supplies, pleas for from Zimbabweans with own means to travel back home, and petitions from Zimbabwean nationals in need of transportation back home.” a press statement from the Embassy says.
“Subsequent communication will be made regarding the assistance for distressed Zimbabwean nationals who elect to remain within the borders of South Africa.”
